SOCIOL 2S06 Lecture : Sociology of Theory Lecture 2
30 Sep 2011
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Document Summary
Intellectual development and change in philosophical thought during the 17th and 18th. Thinkers associated with enlightenment influenced by 17th c. philosophy thomas. Hobbes & john locke - focus on producing general and abstract theoretical ideas, based on rationality and reason. Wanted to combine reason & theory, with empirical research (apply real world, and data) Enlightenment and traditional authority - traditional values and institutions to be irrational ex. values and institutions involving religion. Consequently, thinkers wanted to overcome irrational values - oriented toward social change. Adamant in works of marx: the conservative reaction to enlightenment. Conservative thinkers rejected the focus that the enlightenment thinkers placed on rationality & reason. Instead, they emphasized importance of what enlightenment thinkers saw as irrational (such as tradition, emotion, religion) acts of social life were seen as important. Views on revolutions: political & industrial - seen as disruptive to society, oriented towards social order: impact of the enlightenment and the conservative reaction on sociology.
